Special report: Israel-Lebanon Conflicts   [ Video ] [Gallery]

    BEIRUT, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- A spokesman for the UN peacekeeping forces in Lebanon said Saturday that Israeli troops might complete its withdrawal from Lebanon on Sunday, Lebanese National News Agency reported.

    "Israel's withdrawal (from southern Lebanon) might be completed on the date (Sunday), and we are still working on all sides for facilitating the operation and realizing it as soon as possible," Milos Strugel, spokesman for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was quoted as saying.

    Local media also reported that Major General Alain Pellegrini, commander of the UN peacekeeping troops, on Saturday informed Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora that Israel would complete its pullout on Sunday.

    "Pellegrini contacted Prime Minister Fouad Siniora to inform him that the Israeli army had undertaken to complete its withdrawal from south Lebanon on Sunday," Lebanese ANB television station quoted a government source as saying.

    Israeli forces have been gradually pulling out of Lebanese territory they captured during a 34-day Israel-Hezbollah conflict, which ended with a truce on Aug. 14 based on a UN Security Council resolution.

    Israeli officials had said they hoped to pull out all troops by last weekend, but this was delayed while discussions with the UNIFIL on rules of engagement continued.

    UN Resolution 1701 authorizes an increase of an existing UN peacekeeping forces in Lebanon to 15,000 troops to help Lebanese troops take control of southern Lebanon as Israel withdraws in parallel.

    Under the deal, Israel should transfer control of its positions in southern Lebanon to the UN troops, which will then turn them over to the Lebanese army.

    Israel occupied a narrow border land in southern Lebanon during the war, and has so far handed over about 90 percent of territory they captured to the UNIFIL. Enditem